A major IT failure at Edinburgh Airport on December 16, 2024, caused a complete standstill of air traffic control for several hours. Countless flights were delayed, cancelled, or diverted, leaving passengers stranded. While the issue was resolved within hours, the incident exposed vulnerabilities in the air travel system and the need for robust backup systems and improved communication.
A technical issue with Germany’s air traffic control system has caused widespread delays and cancellations at Frankfurt Airport, affecting other major airports like Dusseldorf. The problem, affecting data transmission nationwide, began around 10 am and is showing signs of improvement.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced a major milestone in its efforts to rebuild the air traffic controller workforce, exceeding its 2024 hiring target with the addition of 1,811 new controllers. This represents the largest intake of new hires in nearly a decade, bolstering the FAA’s efforts to address a long-standing staffing shortage.
Gatwick Airport experienced significant disruption on September 9, 2024, with over 100 flights cancelled due to a staff shortage in the air traffic control tower. This led to delays and cancellations for thousands of passengers, impacting airlines like EasyJet, British Airways, and Wizz Air. The incident highlights the ongoing challenges of staff shortages in the aviation industry, raising concerns about airport operational resilience and the impact on traveler confidence.
Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) faced a mixed bag during the 2024 summer travel season. While the airline achieved a higher punctuality rate compared to the previous year, thanks to proactive measures, they also experienced more disruptions due to external factors like thunderstorms and air traffic control congestion. Despite these challenges, SWISS successfully managed a record number of passengers and baggage, highlighting their commitment to providing a smooth travel experience.
Over 20 flights to and from London’s Heathrow Airport were canceled on Saturday due to fog and air traffic control flow restrictions. British Airways was heavily impacted, grounding 18 flights, including domestic and European departures. Other airlines like Aer Lingus, Air France, and Lufthansa also experienced flight cancellations. Passengers faced delays and inconvenience, with some rebooked onto earlier departures. Airlines are obligated to provide assistance, including rebooking on alternative carriers for same-day travel and arranging meals and accommodation if necessary.
Terra Drone, Unifly, and Aloft have teamed up to develop a global air traffic control system for unmanned aircraft and electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. This system, known as a UTM, aims to manage the growing number of low-altitude aircraft operating at altitudes below 4,000 feet. The collaboration combines the expertise of three companies specializing in UTM technology, air traffic control, and advanced air mobility.
Ryanair is taking legal action against air traffic control body Nats after severe disruption last summer affected over 700,000 passengers. The incident occurred on August 28, 2022, when a technical glitch at Nats grounded flights at UK airports. An inquiry into the incident revealed a lack of multi-agency preparation for such a large-scale disruption. Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary stated that the airline aims to recover compensation costs from Nats, criticizing the organization’s performance and calling for the resignation of its chief executive. Nats has acknowledged receiving legal proceedings over the Ryanair claim. Additionally, aviation organizations will conduct an industry-wide rehearsal of major flight disruption scenarios in response to the August incident.
Liverpool John Lennon Airport has temporarily suspended operations due to a power failure affecting air traffic control. Passengers are advised to contact their airlines for flight information, and engineers are working to resolve the issue as soon as possible.
Liverpool John Lennon Airport experiences a power failure leading to the suspension of all aircraft operations. Passengers are advised to contact their airlines for flight updates as engineers work to resolve the issue.
